Photographic processing apparatus



g- 9, 1966 s. HERSH ETAL PHOTQGRAPHIC PROCESSING APPARATUS Filed May 5,1964 FIG! ADJUSTABLE CONSTANT 3 SLIPPING OVERDRIVE FOR TAKE UP SPOOLFIG. 4

SPEED DRIVE //v VEN TORS,

SEYMOUR L HERSH 8 MAR/LYN ZEZMF C n r, v

A T TURNER United States Patent 3,264,971 PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSINGAPPARATUS Seymour L. Hersh, Freehold, and Marilyn Levy, Red Bank, N.J.,assignors to the United States of America as represented by theSecretary of the Army Filed May 5, 1964, Ser. No. 365,217 12 Claims.(Cl. 95-94) processing cycle.

To provide flexibility in timing the processing cycle in such systemsthe length of film strip immersed in each tank is made adjustable. Thisadjustment together with a feed thru driving means whose speed isadjustable provides the required range of processing times to insurehigh quality in the finished product.

In equipments of the above nature a dip roll is used to maintain thefilm loop extending into the processing solutions. The dip roll isarranged to be raised and lowered in the tank and thus to change thelength of film dipping into solution. To accomplish this the priorpractice has been to provide one or more vertical adjusting rods securedto the roll and extending upward thru a support member at the top of thetank having locking means to secure the roll in its adjusted position.

This structure or other similar structures are unsatisfactory becausethey impose mechanical and chemical difficulties and also interfere withmaintaining light tight protection for the sensitive material. In priorstructures the manipulating rod or other elevating means must have closesliding engagement at the point where it passes thru the tank coveringmeans to prevent light entering the tank. The unavoidable corrosiveaction of the chemicals upon even the most resistant materials act intime to interfere with adjustment of the dip rolls particularly at thepoint of sliding friction. In this construction there is always thepossibility of light leaks where the operation is carried on in actinicroom lighting.

The structure of the present invention overcomes the above adversefeatures. In the invention the suspension and adjustment of the diprolls is accomplished from outside the tank walls with no openings orslots in the tank. This is made possible by the transmission of magnetic flux from outside the tank to freely movable dip roll bearingblocks of magnetic material inside the tank and contacting the tankwall. Trunnion shafts at the ends of the dip roll are received inbearing apertures in the bearing blocks. External magnets disposedopposite the bearing blocks act to secure the roll in a fixed positionand when moved up or down cause the roll to follow such movement therebyproviding external manipulation of the roll to position it at any heightwithin the tank. Desirably the external magnets are provided with meansfor locking them in adjusted position.

It is a primary object of the invention to provide a processingapparatus wherein the adjustment of dip rolls for controlling the lengthof the immersed film loops is controlled by completely light tight meansnecessitating no wall or cover apertures.

A further object of the invention is to provide strip film processingapparatus wherein the dip rolls for adjusting Patented August 9, 1966ing system wherein most of the dip roller manipulator parts are notcontacted by the corrosive processing solutions.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a processingsystem wherein the location and use of mixers and heaters in the tanksis not restricted by dip roll elevator mechanisms.

A further object of the invention is to provide a processing systemwherein the inside surfaces of the tanks are smooth and withoutobstruction thereby permitting easy and thorough cleaning. 7

Other objects and features of the invention will more fully appear fromthe following detailed description and will be particularly pointed outin the claims.

To provide a better understanding of the invention a suitable embodimentthereof will be described and illustrated in the accompanying drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 is a general view of the apparatus partly in section.

FIG. 2 is a cross section on line 2-2 FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view on line 33 FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail cross section on line 44 FIG. 1.

The invention will be described in connection with a container having aplurality of tank sections for containing different processingsolutions. However the invention may be applied to one or more such tanksections. A suitable arrangement is shown in the drawings wherein theapparatus consists of a unitary tank structure 10 provided with fourtank sections each of which contain different chemicals. For example thetank 11 may contain developer, the tank 12 acid rinse, the tank 13 fixerand the tank 14 wash water.

The apparatus shown may be used in connection with a completephotographic system for exposing the sensitive strip and includingdifferent types of treatment after chemical processing. In the lattercase a dark room with nonactinic lighting would be required. In thistype of system the film strip would pass from an exposing devicedirectly into the developing tank and then thru the remaining chemicalprocessing steps after which the strip would be dried and given anyother final treatment. Other suitable arrangements may be made to makeuse of the advantages of the invention.

The apparatus shown in the drawings is a self contained system wherein astrip of exposed film 15 may be processed while being protected fromactinic light by the processing vessel itself. In this structure theexposed film 15 is placed in a light tight compartment 16 secured to theunit 10. Desirably the film strip or other sensitive material is woundupon a spool such as that which is used to receive the exposed film in acamera and the spool is rotatively supported in the compartment. Inaddition a conventional friction left-oif device should be coupled tothe spool to control the film as it is unwound from the spool. The stripafter processing is wound upon a spool 17 at the opposite end of theunit 10 in a compartment 18 integral with the unit.

The tank unit is provided with rolls for guiding the film intosuccessive processing tank sections. The path of the exposed stripduring processing is first over the roll 19 into the solution in tank 11around the dip roll 20 up and 3 over guide roll 21 into tank section 12around dip roll 22 from Where it passes up and over guide roll 23. Thestrip continues in the same manner engaging successively dip roll 24,guide roll 25, dip roll 26 and finally the processed strip passes overroll 27 and enters compartment 18.

To facilitate threading the dry strip thru the system the dip rollsdesirably are moved into a position above the level of the solutions inthe tanks in a manner to be described which permits a substantiallystraight feed thru movement of the strip and avoids undesirable contactwith solutions while performing the threading operation. The dip rollsare then moved down into their processing positions which areindividually predetermined to provide their necessary processing timeperiod.

After the lead portion of the strip 15 has been threaded thru theapparatus it is connected to suitable driving means to transport thestrip during the processing cycle. Such means may he manual butpreferably should be power means designed to feed the strip at apredetermined uniform rate based upon the type of emulsion, thecharacteristics of the solutions and their temperature. Such means mayconsist of a take up spool and a constant speed film feeding means. Anysuitable arrangement may be provided for driving these elements. Asshown the roll 27 over which the finished film travels has its shaft 28extended outside the tank unit and coupled to an adjustable constantspeed drive unit 29. If desired the bearing for the extended shaft maybe light trapped as shown at 30.

To provide positive traction between roll 27 and the film strip 15 apinch roll 31 is journaled in the sides of the tank in position toengage the film and press it against the drive roll 27. If desired theroll 31 may engage only the marginal edges of the strip to thus protectthe emulsion containing the image.

The take up spool 17 is rotatably supported at one end in thecompartmentlS by a short stud not shown fixed to the compartment walland extending into an axial aperture in the spool. The other end of thespool is supported by a short shaft 32 projecting a short distance intothe spool aperture and provided with a disengageable clutch device 33which couples the shaft to the spool 17. The shaft 32 extends thru abearing in the compartment wall and is coupled at its outer end to aslipping overdrive unit 34 which loosely winds the film fed to it by theroll 27 upon the spool 17.

To remove the spool containing the processed film strip the shaft 32 andits drive unit are pulled axially outward which acts to disengage thecoupling clutch 33 and remove the shaft 32 from the spool thuspermitting removal of the spool from the apparatus. To prepare forprocessing another film an empty spool is placed on the fixed pivot incompartment 18 and the shaft 32 reinserted in driving position in thespool which act reengages the coupling clutch. The apparatus is thenready for threading another film along the same path as described above.With the solutions at predetermined temperature and the timing of thedrive unit 27 adjusted the units 29 and 33 are started to process thefilm. It should be noted that the apparatus described is provided with alight tight removable cover 35 which when removed provides completeaccess for threading the film and changing film strips.

An important feature of the invention resides in its capability forreadily adjusting the length of film strip immersed in the varioussolutions with optimum facility, complete protection from light leaks,and avoidance of the disadvantages of prior devices. Each of the guiderolls are made of non-corrosive material such as plastic or non-magneticstainless steel and are provided with trunnion shafts at their ends.Each of the dip rolls are rotatably received in apertures 36 formed inbearing blocks 37 made of magnetic material positioned against the innersurface of the tank. The blocks 37 have a coating 38 of non-corrosivematerial such as polytetrafluoroethylene completely covering the metaland lining the apertures 36. The walls of the tank unit are made ofnonmagnetic stainless steel or a suitable plastic material.

The blocks 37 are held in position by strong magnets 39 situated outsidethe tank walls opposite the blocks 37. In this manner the dip rolls areheld at the desired elevation in the respective tank sections. Themagnets shown are of the permanent type. However electromagnets may alsobe used in which case a degree of control over the flux intensity of themagnets is available and also the magnets may be switched off to permitready removal of the dip rolls.

Each magnet has an aperture therein thru which an external verticalguide rod 40 extends. The rods 40 are of non-magnetic metal and aresecured at top and bottom to the tank walls. Each magnet may be suppliedwith a locking thumb screw acting to secure the magnets in adjustedposition on the rods. To adjust the length of the immersed loop of filmin the individual tank sections the magnets are raised or lowered to thedesired degree and locked in position. The magnetic coupling between themagnets and the blocks move the blocks and dip rolls a correspondingamount and thereby provide for their adjustment from outside the tankunit 10. Such adjustments may be made with the tank cover in positionand during the processing cycle.

When making these adjustments the magnetic coupling between the magnetsand the blocks 37 is suflicient to cause the blocks to be carried alongthe inner face of the tank walls when the magnets are moved. The coating38 assists in reducing the sliding friction between the tank walls andthe blocks 37.

Reference scales 41 may be inscribed upon the outer face of the tanksections to serve as a guide in setting the dip rolls to their properheight.

Rolls 19, 21, 23 and 25 are rotatably supported in bearings 42 fixedupon the inner face of the tank walls.

What is claimed is:

1. Photographic processing apparatus comprising at least one solutioncontaining tank, means for feeding an exposed photosensitive strip intoand out of said solution, a dip roll submerged in said solution aroundwhich the sensitive strip is passed to thus establish the length of thesubmerged loop of sensitive material, a bearing block of magneticmaterial at each end of said dip roll, each block having a journalwithin which the roll is rotatively received, vertically adjustablemagnets situated outside of the tank wall opposite said bearing blocksand magnetically coupled thereto.

2. Photographic processing apparatus according to claim 1 and whereinsaid bearing blocks are completely coated with non-corrodible material.

3. Photographic processing apparatus according to claim 1 and means tolock said magnets in adjusted position.

4. Photographic processing apparatus according to claim 1 and whereinthe said tank is made of nonmagnetic material.

5. Photographic processing apparatus comprising a plurality of solutioncontaining tanks arranged in linear sequence, each tank containing aprocessing solution, a strip of exposed photosensitive material, aplurality of guide rolls for conveying said sensitive material from tankto tank, a dip roll for each tank submerged in solution and around whichthe strip is passed to determine the length of the submerged loop ofsensitive material, a freely movable magnetic bearing block at each endof said dip rolls bearing against the tank wall and having a journal inwhich the dip rolls rotate, magnets outside of the tanks opposite thebearing blocks whereby the hearing blocks become armatures movable withthe magnets and constitute the sole support for the rolls, and means toguide the magnets vertically along the tank walls.

6. Photographic processing apparatus according to claim 5 and means tolock said adjustable magnets in adjusted position.

7. Photographic processing apparatus according to claim 5 and whereinsaid bearing blocks are completely coated with non-corrodible material.

8. Photographic processing apparatus according to claim 5 and whereinthe tank walls are made of nonmagnetic material.

9. Photographic processing apparatus according to claim 5 and aremovable light tight cover for the Whole tank group.

10. Photographic processing apparatus for sensitive strip materialcomprising a plurality of processing solution tanks arranged closelyadjacent each other, a removable light tight cover means providingaccess to all tanks and protecting the sensitive strip from actiniclight during processing, roller means for guiding the strip from tank totank, a dip roll for each tank submerged in solution and around whichthe strip passes to determine the length of the submerged loop ofsensitive material in each tank, freelymovable bearing blocks at eachend of said dip rolls having journals thereon for rotatably sup portingsaid rolls, said blocks constituting the sole support for said rolls andbeing positioned close to the inner face of the tank walls, magnetsoutside the tanks opposite said bearing blocks and magnetically coupledthereto, means to guide the magnets vertically along the tank Walls 6whereby the height of the dip rolls in the tank may be adjusted, a drylight tight compartment to receive an unprocessed film strip andadjustable constant speed power means to feed the strip thru theapparatus during processing thereof.

11. Photographic processing apparatus according to claim 10 and a powerdriven take up spool to receive the processed film.

12. Photographic processing apparatus according to claim 10 and whereinthe tank walls are made of nonmagnetic material.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,967,889 7/1934Kitroser 95-94 2,781,192 2/ 1957 Gilfillon. 3,023,686 3/1962 Meyer 95-943,092,763 6/1963 Cherel 317-159 XR 3,156,173 11/1964 Meyer 9594 FOREIGNPATENTS 863,254 3/1961 Great Britain.

NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner.

1. PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSING APPARATUS COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE SOLUTIONCONTAINING TANK, MEANS FOR FEEDING AN EXPOSED PHOTOSENSITIVE STRIP INTOAND OUT OF SAID SOLUTION, A DIP ROLL SUBMERGED IN SAID SOLUTION AROUNDWHICH THE SENSITIVE STRIP IS PASSED TO THUS ESTABLISHED THE LENGTH OFTHE SUBMERGED LOOP OF SENSITIVE MATERIAL, A BEARING BLOCK OF MAGNETICMATERIAL AT EACH END OF SAID DIP ROLL, EACH BLOCK HAVING A JOURNALWITHIN WHICH THE ROLL IS ROTATATIVELY RECEIVED, VERTICALLY ADJUSTABLEMAGNETS SITUATED OUTSIDE OF THE TANK WALL OPPOSITE SAID BEARING BLOCKSAND MAGNETICALLY COUPLED THERETO.